BIOL 851 - Plant Biodiversity and Conservation

The extraordinary diversity of the Southern Appalachians serves as a backdrop to explore the world of plants. We visit unique regional mountain habitats to develop an appreciation for the different species assemblages in these ecologically wide-ranging sites. Issues at these sites concerning conservation of biodiversity are explored. The methodology and management activities of state and federal agencies involved in conservation are examined to evaluate their effectiveness. Based upon our observations and analyses, we critique contemporary views of the most effective units of conservation (individual, population, species, family, habitat, etc.) and the methods used to achieve the goals of the conservation community.

Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisite: Enrollment limited to 12 students.

Credits: 4